Mind Sports South Africa's (MSSA) blog on competitive gaming in South Africa from proto-computer gaming all the way through to the most modern. For more about MSSA go to: https://www.facebook.com/mindsportssa/
Should you wish to submit an article, please send it to mindsportssa@gmail.com. Please note that the editors reserve the right to decide on which articles to publish.

Monday, 29 June 2015

The MSSA's SOUTH
AFRICAN SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIPS shall
be hosted by the Old Edwardian Society, 11 Ninth Avenue, Lower Houghton, Johannesburg on 25
& 26
JULY 2015.

The
championships shall start on both days at 9H00. The following periods
are to be played should sufficient entries be
received.

Period

Defending champions

Rules that can be chosen

Starting times

Saturday

Sunday

Ancients wargaming

Jason Batzofin (male)Elishia Retief (female)

DBM 3.2

9H00

9H00

Checkers

WCDF

9H00

Morabaraba

Merlin Love

GAR

9H00

In keeping with Mind
Sports South Africa's policies all entries are free
and gratis
to ANY
players who enter and who are currently registered as
learners.

Entries must be submitted by 20
July 2015.

All
gamers are reminded that medals will be awarded in the following
categories:

High
School:
For 1st,
2nd,
and 3rd
for both females and males, and

Primary
School:
For 1st,
2nd,
and 3rd
for both females and males.

Colours shall be awarded as
follows:

High
School National Colours: For
the gamers who win all there games against all players in their
category, and

High
School Provincial Colours: For
the gamers who finished in the top 50% at the SA Schools
Championships, and who have also finished in the top 50% in any other
MSSA Provincial Championship in 2015.

Primary
School National Colours: For
the gamers who win all there games against all players in their
category, and

Primary
School Provincial Colours: For
the gamers who finished in the top 50% at the SA Schools
Championships, and who have also finished in the top 50% in any other
MSSA Provincial Championship in 2015.

Late
entries will be accepted on a first come - first served basis
depending on the availability of space and tables.

Jason Batzofin, a learner at St John's College, resident in
Observatory,fought hard at the IWF's 18th World Individual
Championships held at the Lugogo Sun, Swaziland on 20 and 21 June
2015 to retain his title in the Ancients Wargames period.

Wargames is a game much like
three dimensional chess wherein players use representations of
historical armies to determine which player has the greater
tactical abilities. Older players who did officer training would
remember the game as a 'TEWT' (Tactical Exercise Without Troops)
and such training has been used by the military since 1820.

Jason ended the 2014 wargaming year well in December by winning
the South African National Championships which were held at Tuks
University. However, his results have been erratic in the wargames
discipline since January 2015, although Jason did still win the
Gauteng Schools Championships and the Johannesburg Regional
Championships. Jason too finished in tie second place at the 2015
MWEB Mpumulanga Provincial Championships.

After what Jason considered to be an unsatisfactory Mpumulanga
Championships, Jason relooked at his strategies and army choice.

Thus Jason went into the 2015 World Championships held at the
Lugogo Sun, Swaziland, a leaner, meaner fighting machine.

The effort that Jason put in paid dividends as he captured the
title of Junior World Champion, which he has now won for two
consecutive years.

Although Jason is convinced that he can win the title again in
2016, Jason now has his eyes set on the senior title....

Thursday, 25 June 2015

Having won the international Wargames world cup senior
title last year, Colin fought for it again at the 2015 Worlds held in
Swaziland. After a close game against his former army the Palmyrians
and an even closer game against the European Bronze Age, Colin managed
to keep his title.

Colin refused to let his hopes slip or let thoughts of
defeat enter his head with one bound remaining and still several
elements to kill, he managed to successfully crush his enemy in the last
bound. Much to the frustration of his opponent this allowed Colin the
win the title.

Once again Colin Webster has shown his experience and
perseverance. He was gracious in victory and overcame all obstacles to
ensure that he won. With the competition breathing down Colin's neck,
will Colin be able to keep his title next year in the 2016 International
World Cup. Only time will tell...

Wednesday, 24 June 2015

Elishia Retief, has consistently demonstrated her tactical abilities in the tactical
game of 'Ancients Wargames' throughout the year.

Wargames is a game much like three dimensional chess wherein players
use representations of historical armies to determine which player
has the greater tactical abilities. Older players who did officer
training would remember the game as a 'TEWT' (Tactical Exercise
Without Troops) and such training has been used by the military
since 1820.

Thus with Elishia having won every single Female title in South
Africa since 2014, as well as the 2014 Female World Championship
Title, it is no surprise to see Elishia once again, and rightfully
so, take her place in the 2015 MWEB Protea Squad.

At the 2015 World Championships held at the Lugogo Sun, Swaziland,
Elishia ripped her opponents apart. As she demolished her opponents,
she further entrenched herself as the top female wargames player in
the world in order to retain her title.

Sunday, 14 June 2015

There are many films that deal with the ubiquitous 'what if ' situations of what would have been if a person had never been born.But, what about the 'what if' the MSSA had never been constituted.Well let us see....

Back in the 1980's without the MSSA (then known as the South African Wargames Union), gaming (then mainly board and figure gaming) would have been relegated to yet another pastime as the Springbok Colours Board and COSAS (the Confederation of South African Sport) would have only applied their minds to the physical sports.

Yes, not even chess was considered to be a sport in those dark days. Those in power had a firm idea of what constituted a sport and what did not...Thus without the existence of the MSSA banging on doors, there is no doubt that nothing would have changed in the 1980's. That would have indeed impacted on the 1990's.It was in 1991 that the MSSA was adopted into membership of NOCSA and COSAS. As a result of this membership, the roadwas paved for accreditation of gaming as a full sport and membership of the South African Sports Commission (SASC) and even as a founder member of SASCOC.

Without the MSSA, Springbok Colours would not have been awarded to gamers in 1991.

It is almost hard to believe that the MSSA had Springbok Colours awarded to its teams before even chess received the right.Well do I remember the looks on the faces of the 1991 Chess Team when they saw that the MSSA's team had such Springbok Colours.Thus there was an almost seamless transition between the award of Springbok Colours to that of Protea Colours in 1994. However, without the MSSA, that would not have been done.So, without the MSSA, there is no doubt in my mind that all of gaming would have remained in the doldrums.

With the advent of computer gaming, there is no doubt either in my mind that without the MSSA, there would certainly not be any form of official gaming scene.

Without the MSSA there probably would not even be the DGL Gaming League.Very few gamers today are even aware that the MSSA was the first to establish a gaming league in 2005. The league was of course administered by the MSSA's eSports Board of Control under the chairmanship of Johann von Backström. The league was discontinued in 2009 due to issues surrounding unsavoury behaviour by some of the participating teams.Johann von Backström convinced TELKOM to continue with the league in 2009.However, without the existence of the MSSA, the league would never have started, and certyainly, there is no doubt in my mind that TELKOM would never have continued with the league.Not only that, without the MSSA, there would have been no offocial body that would have negotiated deferred exams for at least 12 gamers to enable such gamers to participate in overseas events.

Not only that, but over 100 gamers would have been denied the opportunity of receiving national colours and over a further 50 gamers would have been denied Protea Colours.In short gaming would have been a mess where there would have been no real benefit to anyone.Even those who are antagonistic towards the MSSA cannot deny that much of what they have done is built on the foundations of the MSSA.

Whether their feelings towards the MSSA has inspired them to greater heights, or whether it has created articles which has attracted readers to their blogs, the MSSA has had the greatest impact on South African gaming than any other organization.Thus without doubt, without the MSSA, gaming in South Africa would have stagnated. It is only through the MSSA (currently sponsored y MWEB) that national teams have competed on a regular basis in international competition.We all have much for which we must thank the MSSA!

Saturday, 13 June 2015

Through promoting the
above-mentioned games, the MSSA has seen a marked improvement in the way
in which the players see themselves. By having awarded National
Colours, we have taken a positive step in enabling the human
potential of South Africans.

In 2002 we had the pleasure to
witness David Hlophe receive the President's Award (Silver Class)
from The South African President, Mr Thabo Mbeki, at the President's
residence in Cape Town.

Through our policy of starting
clubs at schools and universities, the MSSA has been able to assist financially disadvantaged players to
study further. There is no doubt whatsoever that the mind-sports that
we promote encourage a culture of learning among our players.

The culture of learning is borne
out by the fact that 92% of all our players who are scholars intend
to attend a tertiary level education institution, and that 89% of our
players who have matriculated since 1994 have enrolled at such type
of educational institution.

It goes without saying that Mind
Sports South Africa aims at becoming demographically representative.

Friday, 12 June 2015

From the day that the MSSA was
founded (1984), the MSSA has had to fight to have the games that the
MSSA promotes to be recognised to be accredited as equals to any of
the other sports that exist in South Africa.

The breakthrough happened in 1991
when the MSSA was allowed to award Protea Colours to its wargames
team. In 1997, the MSSA awarded Protea Colours to its Morabaraba
team, and in 2001 the MSSA was allowed to award Protea Colours to the
players who represented South Africa for Checkers.

However, it was not until 2005
that the MSSA was granted permission by the Protea Colours Board for
Computer Gaming.

It should be noted that the
Protea Colours awarded are the same as awarded to cricket, rugby,
swimming, etc.

Even though the mere act of
awarding colours is laudable in itself, in that players who receive
such colours are enable to apply for, and receive, bursaries at
universities, the MSSA’s vision does not end there.

To ensure that eSports are
regarded as a fully accredited sport, the MSSA runs inter-school
leagues, school championships, regional championships, provincial
championships and national championships.

The MSSA is a member of the
International
eSports Federation (IeSF). In 2010, the MSSA help
found the IeDF (the international federation for gamers with
disabilities) which is now known as the IeSF. Through such affiliation the groundwork has been done
to have eSports established and accredited as an international sport
by the General Assembly of International Sport Federations (GAISF) which is now known as SportsAccord.
When the GAISF accepts eSports as an international Sport, a whole new
era will be ushered in as the games will be allowed to participate in
the International Mind Sports Association’s Games, and be included
in the All Africa Games, the Commonwealth Games, and possibly even in
the Olympic Games.

Comment expires on 2015-07-30

2015-04-24

The Department of Sport and Recreation invites you to submit written comments on the following draft Bills;

National Sport and Recreation Draft Amendment Bill, 2016

The seeks to amend the National Sport and Recreation Act, 1998 so as to:▪ amend, insert and delete certain definitions;▪ provide for policy framework with regard to the promotion and development of sport and recreation;▪ provide for the establishment of commissions;▪ allow for the development of sport and the intervention of Sport and Recreation South Africa in sport matters at school level;▪ develop policy framework for talent identification and development programme;▪ establish a Sport Arbitration Tribunal to resolve disputes in sport or recreation bodies;▪ provide for offences and penalties.

South African Institute for Drug Free Sport Amendment Bill, 2017

The Bill seeks amend the South African - Institute For Drug - Free Sport Act 14 of 1997, so as to:▪ insert new definitions;▪ provide for an inquiry with regard to the removal of a member of Institute from office and for the resignation of a member;▪ make provisions for a resolution of the National Assembly calling for the removal of a member of Institute or for the dissolution of the Institute;▪ provide for the appointment of interim members of the Institute;▪ provide for the consent in random testing of learners in schools that participate in sport.

South African Combat Sport Bill, 2017

The Bill seeks to provide for the administration, governance and regulation of combat sport in the Republic;▪ establish a Combat Sport Regulatory Authority to oversee combat sport;▪ make provision for the establishment and constitution of a Council and the appointment of its councilors to implement the oversight function of the Authority;▪ provide for the establishment of Committees to assist the Council;▪ make provision for appeals against decisions in combat sport;▪ provide for the appointment of inspectors and their powers to monitor combat sport and investigate complaints.

Fitness Industry Regulatory Bill, 2017

The Bill seeks to provide for the establishment of Fitness Industry Regulatory Authority, the establishment of a Council and the appointment of councilors;▪ provide for the registration of fitness controlling bodies, fitness professionals and the accreditation of fitness establishments in the Republic;▪ provide for disciplinary action against fitness professionals, owners or managers;▪ provide for the maintenance and upkeep of a register of registered fitness controlling bodies, fitness professionals and accredited fitness establishments;▪ provide for the constitutions and powers of fitness controlling bodies; to provide for the offences.

It should be noted that the National Sport and Recreation Bill is without doubt, in my opinion, one of the worst pieces of legislation ever written. The Bill, if passed will criminalize many who are involved in sport if they do not comply with the Minister. How this Bill passed by the government's counsel escapes me. However, we can all be confident that the best legal minds in the MSSA will comment.

Tuesday, 9 June 2015

Zone 7 was very ably managed by Luyolo Magungelelo who ran no less than competitions at 10 taverns.

With R175,000.00 in prize money, with R50,000.00 for first place, spirits are high as players battle it out to become the overall winner of the league.The winners from the Taverns are:Luphumalo PatiSakhumzi MoagiWinile MatiwaneSiyabonga XoloBongani NootiSimtembile MazbhisiAsanda MatdshileAustin MangalisoVukile Tsolo

Saturday, 6 June 2015

Once again HTS Witbank hosted the MSSA's MWEB Mpumalanga Championships. Even though there was a problem with the venue, the club still did a sterling job by hosting the event at the BNKR Gaming Lounge, cnr of Duncan and Mandela Streets, Witbank.

Again, the Mpumulanga championships showed a net increase in the number of gamers. However the growth in the number of gamers at the championships would not have been possible without the herculean efforts of Morizane Boyes, and Louis Brown.

The support being given by the schools is proving to be the back-bone of the MSSA and is the most important part of the MSSA's development programmes.

The support given by MWEBagain proved to be invaluable to the MSSA, and as a result of such support members were able to enjoy the benefits of participating in an official LAN championship. It is through the official championships that gamers are able to qualify for colours and for national team trials. In other words, the official championships form part of a year year long qualification process for gamers to prove their worth in order to be selected to finally, and officially, represent South Africa in international competition.

Whereas in 2014 there were six member clubs from two provinces which contested the championships, in 2015, it was most pleasing to see eleven clubs from two different provinces contesting the championships.

At the championships, the Tuks Mindsport Club again dominated the League of Legends and Dota 2 events. An old favourite Baber Abbass dominated the console fighting game titles of Tekken and USF4.

In total, 41 gamers earned the right to wear Provincial Colours. A further 17 students were awarded Student provincial Colours and 10 learners were awarded High School Provincial Colours.

The MWEB championships too saw a total of 95 gamers qualify for National Team Trials. With so many gamers qualifying for trials, there is no doubt that the MSSA will have sufficient teams in order to select teams to represent South Africa.